Marching Band
Welcome to the award-winning DeWitt High School Marching Band! Marching Band is a wonderful learning opportunity for our students, providing opportunities for growth not only in musicianship, but also in discipline, teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. The following information is intended to help you get through a typical season of Marching Band.
There are several types of activities associated with Marching Band: the “show”, camps, rehearsals, game night performances, competitions, and fundraisers – here’s what to expect:
The Show: Each year the Marching Band focuses intently on learning, developing, performing, and perfecting the show for the year. The band works on the show at camp, Monday night rehearsals, and during Marching Band class. The show is performed during half time at football games and at competitions in October, culminating in competition – hopefully – at the Michigan Competing Band Association State Finals at Ford Field. Recent years’ shows have featured themes such as The Incredibles, James Bond, Happy, and Billy Joel’s “Play Me a Memory.”
Camps: In July and August, there are camps for color guard, drumline, and for all of Marching Band. These camps are a kick off to the Marching Band season and are an opportunity to learn the roles of the band members, and are an introduction to the show for the year. Volunteers are needed to help as field parents to ensure the safety of students and for food service in the evening.
Rehearsals: Rehearsals begin on the first Monday evening following band camp and continue on Monday nights throughout Marching Band season. Parents/Boosters will often work on props and uniforms during rehearsal time and will hang out to learn about the show and how to volunteer. Students often gather after rehearsal at McDonalds.
Game nights: On the nights of home games, Marching Band students meet before 6:00 pm at the band room and march to the stadium. They perform the National Anthem, pep songs, in the stands, and the show during half time.
Competitions: Each year there are two or three competitions; most are through the Michigan Competing Band Association (MCBA - see themcba.org) and culminate in the MCBA State Finals at Ford Field in early November. Additionally there is typically one competition through the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA). MCBA competitions are typically on Saturdays; MSBOA is often on a Monday evening.
Fundraisers: There are key fundraisers throughout the Marching Band season, and the year, in support of the band programs and imperative to the success of Marching Band. The largest is the DeWitt Marching Band Invitational, a competition hosted at our own Panther Stadium. Additional fundraisers include Apple Pie Making/Sales and the Craft Show. Volunteer support for these events is crucial. The Invitational requires the participation of all band families in order to be successful.
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